The Town Where I Live

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The restaurant, although bustling in every corner, and filled to the brim with life, wasn't something Shinji wanted to see. There were not many he could recognize, even though the town wasn't substantially large.

"Good evening," Mizuki said once more, as she smirked and sipped away on a glass of cold beverage, and continued, "I'm still surprised you didn't try to run away. I guess I was at least correct about one thing. "

The words that she spoke were teeming with confidence as if she had the entire situation under her tight grasp. The table that the both of them were dining on was a flimsy wooden table; thus, every time Shinji would make a move, Mizuki would notice it, so he sat quietly and blankly stared at her.

"Here's your order, children. Enjoy!"

An old lady carrying two bowls of capellini hurriedly came and put them down on the table. Her wrinkled face brightened when she noticed the girl sitting in front of Shinji. He, in the meanwhile, was only given a passing glance.

"My, my, I was wondering who this pretty girl is! Ai-chan, good luck!" The lady gave a thumbs up when she uttered the last sentence. She looked at Shinji once more for a moment and cracked a lively smile.

Mizuki briskly smiled, as if she understood what that woman had meant, and said, "Thank you, granny. I hope your recent trip to the hospital wasn't as worrisome as the last one."

"Oh, don't worry about that, you two enjoy yourselves. Call me if you need anything, alright?"

The lady chuckled and sprinted away into the restaurant. The energy she displayed in that one minute was contradictory compared to her frail body and aged face. Shinji's eyes remained on her back and left only after a sigh had left his mouth.

"You have a talent for acting. You'll do good in the film industry, you know?" Shinji said as he watched Mizuki.

"Bleh, I wasn't faking anything! I think I remember her better than you; she used to give us candies, remember?"

"When we were children…we made so many memories — memories we took for granted that are now our only companions. You left, forgot; I stayed here to rot." Mizuki casually said and laid down the half-empty glass on the table.

"You're doing fine for someone that says she's rotting. At least you're doing better than me; I envy you. "Shinji said, as he fiddled around with the chopsticks.

"Hmm, I'd give you some life-changing advice. But you haven't told me the reason for your anger yet. I'm sure; it's related to your result. Otherwise, you wouldn't be here, would you? "

"I don't know. I…uh, scored really low on my exams. So, in a fit of anger, I enrolled in the possibly the worst university on this island."

Mizuki hummed for a few seconds and patted him on his shoulders with a smile. "Don't worry. You'll feel fine in a few days. I'm sure you tried your best. "

Mizuki, the diligent and brilliant student, would never understand something as disastrous as this. Thus, Shinji didn't bother. He nodded and began to eat. Noticing his movements, Mizuki followed, but this time her appearance was softer than before.

The sun on the horizon slowly began to descend, as it showered soft honey-like colours at the seaside restaurant. Mizuki and Shinji, even after they had finished eating, continued to talk like old friends. One always had a deadpan expression on his face, while the other always wore an enthusiastic smile on her face – to the onlookers, it formed a rather beautiful dichotomy.

"Shin, you go and get a taxi. I'' ll pay," Mizuki said after she noticed the setting sun, and stood up.

Shinji felt somewhat weird about her proposal; thus, "Wait, don't. I'll pay; I can use my phone to pay, remember?"

Mizuki rolled her eyes and walked forward, ignoring his effort to stop her with his words. "I'll let you pay next time. For now, think of it as a treat from me, okay?" She exclaimed and walked forth to the reception area.

Shinji shook his head in acceptance and left the restaurant. Right there beside the entrance, however, a framed photo was hung. The old man in it, wearing formal clothes, held a slightly dazed smile as he stared at the viewer like he was a real human. Shinji recognized the old man, which increased the heavy feeling concentrated around his chest. The crone might've not been his relative; maybe, the fact that his name was Shinji was unknown to the man, but personally, the effects he had on him were…

It was only after one was in trouble that one realizes how little sympathy and kindness there was in the world.

"Hey, did you call a ta… oh, yeah, I'm not surprised you didn't notice his picture while entering."

Mizuki ran towards Shinji and said while looking at the framed picture.

"He's dead, isn't he?"

"Old age. His wife now runs the store, but her health hasn't been good for the past few months. Don't feel bad that she didn't recognize you; she has dementia."

"…"

After taking one last look at the picture, and the ditzy yet chuckling woman in the restaurant, Shinji left in silence. Mizuki followed behind, with an unnerving smile still plastered on her face. With the help of his phone, a cab was summoned in mere moments.

…

…

…

"What does it feel like?" Mizuki questioned with curiosity. Silence soon ensued, but she patiently stood behind Shinji and waited for his answer. A cold draft brushed past, throwing a few strands of her hair about.

Shinji stared at the house in front of him, surrounded by trees and bushes. Call it his anger, or maybe just him running from his past, but he had never thought that he would willingly come back to his home. Although the owners had changed, one's home is still one's home – Shinji didn't think of it like that, however. He felt a sudden tightening sensation in his stomach, as the memories connected to him, his house, his being rushed forth into his mind.

"Hmm?!"

"Just...why? Why did you bring me here? So that you could watch me suffer?" Shinji asked, almost screaming. Despite his body language, his facial expression was as stern and direct as ever. The smiling expression Mizuki wore didn't die down even a bit; however, as she continued to survey him.

"A bit too strong of a reply, don't you think? Hey, are you this angry because this isn't your home anymore?" Mizuki came in front of him and patted him on his shoulders. She looked towards the door of the house, and her smile immediately disappeared. Shinji was too immersed in his thoughts and didn't notice her rapidly changing expression.

"It's something someone like you will never understand," Shinji uttered with bitterness and felt a sudden crushing force on his shoulders. The fear that was in him was suppressed by the utter hatred brewing in him, as he took ahold of her hands and tried to move them.

But, Mizuki was too strong. No matter how much Shinji tried, it was all in vain. She snickered, as her eyes scowled at him. "Something happened to you after you left. I can feel it. It's related to your family, isn't it? But," her smile returned, as she paused and lifted her hands, leaving Shinji with a bitter expression, "It's alright. I'm okay with you not telling me. One day or another, your burden will too heavy for you to bear alone."

"Am I even human in your eyes, Mizuki? What am I, some worthless cat on the streets that'll give in just because you gave it some food?"

"You say one thing but do another. Oh, Shin, look who's there. It's your friend. Hehe!" With curiosity written all over her face, Mizuki pointed at the house with her hand and directed her gaze towards Shinji.

Shinji frowned, and the person that ambled out of the house made his eyes widen. The sunlight shone upon the man, as his clear-white shirt appeared in his vision like a red cloth in front of a bull. The spectacles the man identified him as the man he met in class yesterday, Yuhara Minji. Of course, the anger that sprouted inside him was unjustified, and within moments he was calm again.

The moment Yuhara turned his head towards them, Shinji ducked along with Mizuki, albeit he had to force her using his arms. She laughed a bit, and asked, "Thank you, haha. I didn't think you'd try to save me as well. Mhm~!"

"I don't think I'd be able to hide for long if you get seen. Why the hell is he here, though?!"

"Oh yeah, this so-called friend you made in class today, his parents bought your house after you left. Mind telling me why you feel this hurt?"

"No. I've seen enough. Can we go back now?" Shinji sighed and asked with a dash of frustration hidden in his voice. The surprises he was getting as of a few days were enough to make him doubt whether or not he was in a dream. Furthermore, he had to deal with this woman trying to turn him into a drug addict.

"Sure, it's going to be evening soon. So, let's go. Oh, and by the way, I had fun today. What about you?"

"I felt like dying again today. "

"Hey, don't forget about me! If you feel like dying, I'm willing to make a suicide pact! We'll die together, sounds fun, doesn't it?" Mizuki light-toned dark humour struck a chord within Shinji, but all he did was walk forward.

"You shouldn't make jokes like that; you have an entirely fulfilling life left in front of you. You have another chance to do another degree, a good house, a good brain, and are very beautiful."

"I'm a terrible person, that's why. You don't want to know why. Hehe…"

Their light chatter ended the moment Shini hailed a cab. Mizuki shrugged and watched as the sunset. Her eyes were focused on the house by the trees, however…

…

…

…

"Just like old times, hm?" Mizuki whispered in his ears as she used the sponge to scrub his back. Her warm breath tickled him as he gnashed his teeth and slightly moved away, arousing a small fit of laughter from her.

The bright light in the bathroom shone upon them, as they helped each other bathe. Shinji, unlike last time, had a towel around his waist, while Mizuki had one wrapped around her lithe body. The flowery-scented foam slid down his body as he kept an expressionless face while staring at the floor with a red face.

"I don't ever remember such skinship when we used to shower together. Am I not recollecting something or—aah!" Shinji screamed in surprise, as he noticed a stream of cold water hit his back. His face began to sweat as he remembered that he was dealing with a rather violent woman.

Mizuki, armed with the hand shower, chuckled and replied, "Of course, you don't, you dummy!"

"Whatever. Don't you have stuff to study or something? Literally anything else except pandering to me?"

"Shush, I've already done my 'stuff'. I don't have many hobbies, you know? Alright, it's your turn to help me now! Ouch, I think I sprained my hand while I was forcing you yesterday! What will I do?!"

"…"

Shinji turned over and took the higher stool. He shook his head to purge it from evil thoughts and began to lather soap over her white back. It felt delicate to the touch, with her skin a touch sinking wherever he would touch it. She hummed a high-spirited tune, as he sniffed the soapy smell wafting through the air.

"Hey, I want to ask you something." Mizuki looked back and smiled. It was a bit different this time, with it sprouting like a lively flower. Shinji would almost be entranced if he didn't notice the dark clouds running around in her eyes.

"…?"

"What happened to your mom? Did something happen to her? I had guessed something happened the moment I didn't notice even a single picture of her in your apartment. "

"She may as well be dead to me."

"Bother telling me more?"

"No."

"Aww, let's exchange stories. How about it?"

"No."

"A few days later?"

"No. "

Shinji rolled his eyes and poked her at her sides. In a single moment, as if thunder had crashed down upon Mizuki, she jolted backwards and began to laugh.

"Stop asking."

"Please~?"

"A few years later, perhaps."